Football team reaches sectional playoffs for first time in 36 years

GARDEN PLAIN — The now No. 4-ranked Ellsworth Bearcats had their most exciting game this season against the Garden Plain Owls, narrowly winning 34-31 Nov. 3.

The clock ticked down as the Cats desperately battled to keep the ball out of Garden Plain’s hands. The Owls had one last shot, but senior Cole Webber ended the game with an interception, and the stadium erupted in a sea of red, black and white as Ellsworth celebrated the win.

“The highlight of the game was Cole’s interception to seal the game and let the celebration begin,” senior Ian Andalon-Silva said.

Head Coach Josh Homolka described the game as a “slugfest.”

Both teams fought hard for the chance to hoist the regional championship trophy, and even though the game was not played on the Cats’ home turf, fans traveled to fill the stands.

“The atmosphere was great. Great setup for a playoff game, great following, great media coverage,” Homolka said. “Our players knew how much it mattered.”

It all contributed to the first regional win for the Bearcats since 1987.

“It felt amazing,” senior quarterback Will Cravens said. “I can’t describe what it was like to win a trophy as a team when (we) haven’t had that feeling ever. I can’t believe the amount of support we had during the game.”

As the season comes to a close, seniors are reminiscing on the years spent playing together, with many of them becoming teammates in fourth grade football, making this season their ninth year of being a Bearcat.

Kassie Pflughoeft, mother of senior Riley Stone, described getting to watch the boys grow up together as an “honor.”

“Football brought them together, but they chose to be a team, a brotherhood,” she said. “Their coaches from early on taught them the fundamentals, supported them on and off the field and believed in them, but these boys made the decision to push a little more, spend hours outside practices running routes, making up plays, etc.

“Their first loss (against Southeast) gutted them, but they turned it into a lesson and an evening together lifting each other up, as they have on and off the field from there on out.”

The dedication paid off in an electrifying regionals game. The Garden Plain game was the highlight of the season for Pflughoeft.

“It took our whole team. There were so many emotions at Garden Plain,” she said. “The biggest nerves. Every game before they take the field, I pray for their safety and to play to their ability. These boys have given not only us parents and families, but the whole community, so many amazing memories. Every game I pray for just one more.”

The team certainly made memories. The Bearcats began on defense. Garden Plain made their game plan clear, running it up the middle to burn up the clock. A drive that lasted over 7 minutes ended with a Garden Plain field goal.

The first quarter ended 3-0, Garden Plain, with only one possession for each team. The Bearcats kept their head in the game and their first touchdown was scored by Andalon-Silva.

“Knowing every game could be your last and every moment is critical makes you really put everything in perspective,” he said. “One of the things we, as a team, have been saying the most is “do or die.” Having that mindset and holding out throughout our last games is all we can do.”

The team wasn’t ready to let dreams die.

Junior Dax Leiker recovered the onside kick, which proved big for Ellsworth. Senior Loden West was able to score the second touchdown with 9 minutes left in the first half, bringing the score to 14-3, Bearcats.

At a critical point in the game, officials stopped to measure a 4th down conversion by the Bearcats. It ended up in Garden Plain’s favor by one chain link. The Owls didn’t give up the fight and scored again. With 4:47 left in the half, the score was 14-10, Bearcats.

The Cats extended the lead to 21-10 as West scampered around the left side for a touchdown. Garden Plain scored a last-second touchdown, and the half ended 21-17, Bearcats.

Momentum shifted to the Owls in the second half as they scored a touchdown to go up 24-21, but the Bearcats weren’t ready for their season to be over.

Leiker stripped the Garden Plain running back and recovered the fumble, the first fumble of the season for the Owls’ running back. The third quarter ended 24-21 with Garden Plain ahead.

Leiker plays alongside his brother, senior Layton Leiker. His parents Mark and Danelle Leiker have watched proudly from the stands.

“The highlight of this season for me has been watching (the team) accomplish their goals of making a significant playoff run,” Mark Leiker said. “Gutting out a road win against another ranked playoff team was such a great experience.”

Cravens ran a quarterback keeper for a touchdown, but missed the extra point. The score was now 27-24. Andalon then scored a touchdown run, and the Bearcats solidified their lead with 5:14 left in the fourth

“It was the first time this team has hoisted a trophy as a football team. We hope that feeling becomes addicting.”

Josh Homolka Head Football Coach quarter, 34-24.

Garden Plain scored a touchdown on their next possession to pull within three at 34-31.

“These boys have been together with a ball, any type of ball, since they started elementary school,” Mark Leiker said. “There are hundreds of basketball streak marks on our basement ceiling and several wall dents to prove it.

“They have been a force on the football field since they started playing together in fourth grade. The one thing I’ve learned from them that they learned from Coach Scott Hipp is to never count them out. These boys know how to pull it together when they need to and rally each other. They are a band of brothers, not just friends.

“Knowing a loss means the end for our seniors is hard. On the field, and off, they are our boys — not just mine — so sitting in the bleachers is hard. I felt like I had been in a boxing match after the Garden Plain game because I did not relax for one minute during that game.”

The Cats were certainly able to celebrate.

“It was a great feeling,” Homolka said. “It was the first time this team has hoisted a trophy as a football team. We hope that feeling becomes addicting.”

The Bearcats have plans for more trophies, celebrations and memories. As the season evolves and the wins rack up, the brotherhood continues at home Nov. 10 against No. 9-ranked Norton.